Requiz, Kate Dianne O.

Life & Works of Rizal

1.8 BS Psychology Tues&Fri 12:30-2:00

Brown Americans of Asia

Chapter 1: “Current Images

Author: Renato Perdon

This chapter “Current Images”, is from the book entitled “Brown Americans of

Asia”, wrote by Renato Perdon. This book gives information of our country’s history and of

ourselves as a Filipino people. It also tells about the Australia and how the Australians interact

with Filipinos. It also address the roots of our damage culture with result in our lack of National

Consciousness, National Unity and Dignity. This book provides an excellent historical overview

of our homeland Filipino character and culture. Though the book is originally for Filipinos and

Australians, it is also relevant and educational for any foreigner who want to broad their

knowledge about the Philippine history and the Filipino people.

This book that includes Chapter 2 “Current Images”, talks about Australian

historical and perceptions that includes stereotyping of Filipinos in our homeland and in

Australia. Perdon discusses in this chapter the mixed marriages between Filipino women and

Australian men. He provides us with interesting on “why, what, how” of these Cross-cultural

marriages. He also discusses the past and present of Filipino ethnicity such our flag, clothes,

food and even names. The chapter mention that the Philippines is inhabited by more 175

ethnolinguistic nations, the majority of those languages are Austronesian in origin. Many of

these nations converted to christianity. In western Mindanao and Sulu Archipelago, there are
ethnolinguistic nation’s who practice Islam. Perdon said that our country has a unique practice

of faith and religion.

I conclude that the past happenings in our country has a big impact of

what we have and we are right now as a Filipinos. Just like what Jose Rizal said that “In order to

read the destiny of a people, it is necessary to open the book of its past”. Just like what Jose

Rizal have done in our homeland, her novels describes the life of the Filipinos every now and

then. Same as in this chapter, there are historical and perceptions during that time that until

now is we were still adapting. Like, we Filipinos, being religious.